Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has publicly apologised to families of victims killed in a deadly attack by gunmen in Zikke community, Bassa Local Government Area, admitting a failure by the government and security agencies to protect lives and property.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, April 14, left over 50 people dead and several homes destroyed. It came just two weeks after another massacre in Bokkos Local Government Area, where scores were killed in similar circumstances.
During a condolence visit to the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Miango on Tuesday, Governor Mutfwang spoke with deep emotion, saying he had been devastated by the tragic event.
“I have been crying since yesterday because I had trusted God that all the arrangements were put in place, that this will not happen again,” he said. “But like all human arrangements, sometimes they fail. I want to admit that on Sunday night into Monday morning, we failed you. Please, forgive me.”
Mutfwang urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security efforts by sharing intelligence and exposing criminal activities in their communities.
The governor also visited some families who lost their loved ones in the attack to offer personal condolences.
In response, Ronku Aka, the Paramount Ruler of Irigwe land and the Brangwe of Irigwe, appealed to the government to complement security interventions with the provision of social amenities to support affected communities.
Tensions remain high in the region as residents mourn yet another mass killing in the protracted cycle of violence affecting Plateau communities.
